BEEVILLE — City Council members approved giving J&S Matus Motorsports another $80,000 of hotel and motel occupancy tax funds to pay for insurance when they met last Thursday evening at City Hall.

This is the second year in a row that the council has approved a large outlay of hotel and motel tax funds to assist the organization in purchasing liability insurance for the event.

The 4-1 vote in favor of providing the funds came after Texas Mile organizer Shannon Matus provided the council with a report on what the semi-annual speed event brings to the city.

The vote came after some council members took the Bee Development Authority board to task for requiring a $50 million insurance policy for the Texas Mile organization.

Matus and others at the meeting said that the standard insurance requirement for speed events is $5 million.

City Manager Deborah Ballí said she had requested a joint meeting with the BDA board for the Thursday night session but the BDA had declined the invitation.

“What you mean is that they won’t meet with us?” Mayor Santiago “Jimbo” Martinez asked.

Martinez called it “extraordinary” that a board made up of members appointed by three elected bodies would refuse to meet with one of those elected bodies. And the elected body which requested the meeting is responsible for appointing four of the board members.

Councilman David Carabajal, who is one of the four BDA board members appointed by the City Council, said he was not notified that the BDA’s executive committee had met and had made the decision not to meet with the council regarding the insurance requirement.

“I sit on that board,” Carabajal said. “I don’t share those views.”

Carabajal said that “out of respect I would like to have a chance to make those decisions, especially when it benefits the whole city.”

“In the end,” Carabajal said, “this money can be better spent.” He said he objected to having to provide $80,000 of the city’s hotel and motel tax receipts on what he called “a one-trick pony.”

“I don’t agree with four persons on the board (the executive committee) making decisions for the whole board,” Carabajal continued.

Council members were told that the Texas Mile organizers had to have an answer to their request for funds by Monday so the organization could open its books to participants who wish to run in the March 22-24 event.

“I support the event,” said Councilman John Fulghum. “I want to make it happen.”

But Fulghum said he thought it was “outrageous that the BDA would require the Texas Mile organizers to have to pay $94,000 for insurance coverage for an event that would be set up for a total of six days in 2013.

At least 30 Texas Mile supporters attended the meeting.

Several of them reminded the council of the economic impact that the event has on the community during each of its two events.

Matus said that the event brought 6,395 participants, crew and spectators to Beeville last year and they spent more than $700,000 in raw dollars during 2012.

During the meeting, council members questioned the need for a $50 million insurance policy for the event.

Martinez said the assets that had been at Chase Field last year for the Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance operation are no longer there.

“There is another tenant out there and their assets need to be covered as well,” said Councilwoman Libby Spires.

Mayor Pro Tem Mike Scotten expressed concern about spending so much of the city’s hotel and motel tax money on one event.

“Although I didn’t like it last year, I can understand the request,” Scotten said. “But now the assets are gone. They could at least cut it in half.”

When the discussion on the request ended and Martinez called for action, the council was told that it would cost J&S Matus Motorsports $94,190 to purchase the $50 million policy for 2013. The difference in the cost for the $5 million coverage and the $50 million insurance policy would come to $78,690.

But Ballí reminded the council that it had approved a $40,000 cap in hotel and motel tax expenditures for an event. However, because the Texas Mile would be purchasing insurance coverage for two events in 2013, the organization could be given $40,000 for each of the events for a total of $80,000.

Ballí said the city would pay the money directly to the insurance company providing the coverage and none of the funds would go to the Texas Mile organization.

The council then heard comments from a number of those who had come to support the request. Business managers said their sales doubled during each Texas Mile event.

Fulghum then made the motion to approve the request and provide $40,000 for each of the two events.

Carabajal seconded the motion and it passed with Spires voting against it.

Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at reporter@mySouTex.com.

NOTE: pink_kitty, if your going to argue about us supporting something we love then grow the hell up. Im 17 years old and i know what your doing IS CHILDISH and i am not writing back to you if you post something else CHILDISH about what im stating THANK YOU(:

Personally i see the Texas mile as a great job opportunity and an amazing training experience. I went to the Texas mile for the first time in my life FOR FREE last semester thanks to CBC and had an amazing time and it was a mind blowing experience. I am also writing this on my own time before i go to work not because of a class project but because i want to support what i love doing. the reason: In the future i wish to attend the Texas mile with my own vehicle.

I got to talk to people about their amazingly fast cars and sound systems and i learned a whole bunch of new stuff i had never known before. I saw cars i have never seen before and whenever a car pulled up to get inspected I was always on my toes while looking at EVERY SINGLE CAR and talking to almost every person that owned a vehicle that was registered to race at the Texas mile!

Its an exciting opportunity for a young person like myself and my classmates to figure out if this is really the choice we want to make with our lives! How will the BDA feel when my chance for good money leaves beeville for good. Oh wait they probably wont care because their selfish! If they don't care about what the community says then they aren't really doing their job! Am I right? They want to make beeville better but their not doing it by taking away something we love And by taking away i mean running them off! Any other event that takes place in Beeville(carnival, the rodeos, parades, etc.)pay nothing compared to this much!

And a plus side to the Texas mile, they hardly bring drunks! They don't even sell alcohol of any sort! All the events i listed above and more bring way more drunks and people get arrested for DWIs left and right! Oh but they get their money back because of all the tickets they have to write up! They would rather people get drunk and get arrested to make money other than have people driving fast down an airstrip in a controlled environment that doesn't promote drinking AT ALL!

Any other speed event anywhere pays WAY LESS money compared to something that only comes around 2 times a year! This is an outrageous demand for money and i think this middle school of a lunch money stealing bully known as the BDA needs to stop trying to get so much money from people who do absolutely no harm to the people around them!

And again to pink_kitty. im sure that the Texas mile will have eventually given something to beeville's community to thank us for making Beeville their home. But now we we will never find out because of the BDA pulling this move on them. That little airstrip and the land around it is not even worth $50,000,000! Like you said maybe the Texas mile should buy land? Why would they if the insurance is 50million? Haha i know for sure i wouldn buy land from a community that wants more then what you give them even though they bring thousands or even millions of dollars to Beeville.

By the way i used my real name and i am a beeville resident just letting everyone know that the roads are crappy why not fix them? Or wait you would rather build businesses that PAY YOU to stand where they are now. Haha priceless...

Was this a class project for the Automotive department at Coastal Bend College. Did your class get extra credit for posting your comments on something you know nothing about. I am sure Mrs. Matus encourage all your support for the Texas Mile which is making a profit itself from the spectators and the participants. The Texas Mile is not investing money in our community, sure they hire security and EMS crews locally but what else. Are they investing money in your Automotive program to expand it. Do our local T-Shirt vendors make the Texas Mile T-shirts, Do our sign companies make the banners and signs for the event. Do we have local food vendors on site at the Texas Mile event? That is economic Development. Can any one of you college students who made a comment even tell us what the BDA stands for or does? The City of Beeville is giving Hotel Tax money to a private profit making business to cover their insurance expenses. Check your facts Beeville is not poor. We are in the middle of an oil boom. Our hotels are full because of the oil industry. Our restaurants are full because of the oil industry. Also, read a newspaper didn’t a man die last year from injuries after he had an accident at the Texas Mile? If your family member died at an event wouldn’t you be looking to sue. I would be asking the Texas Mile to present profit statements from our local businesses to give proof of all the money they claim to bring into Beeville. Here’s a thought all the hotels and businesses should request the city help pay their property and liability insurance with Hotel Tax money because your are have tourist shopping, eating, and staying in our establishment all year round.

The BDA has an obligation to answer to the people who appoint them including the City Council. Which means that the BDA does in fact have to answer to the public for their actions… here is why- the appointees to the BDA are appointed by elected officials and those officials do answer to the public so if the council questions the appointees those appointees have an obligation to answer.

The BDA was put into place to aid in economic development of Beeville so their job is not to protect the interest of the BDA but to protect the economic interest of the City of Beeville and its residents. There is not a question here about what the BDA does at Chase field, the question is why wont the BDA answer the question being asked which is why are they requiring a $50 million dollar insurance policy? It is in the best economic interest of the city of Beeville to continue to host The Texas Mile at Chase Field therefore the BDA should take into consideration all of the evidence given to show why a $50 million dollar insurance policy is outrageous and at least have an open discussion about it so that there is some potential of The Texas Mile staying in Beeville.

pink_kitty

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January 24, 2013

Rancher765,

Is the Texas Mile really economic development? Why didn't the City fight this hard for Sikorsky? The city always fought over giving money to BDA for improvements at the hangars for Sikorsky and they left. I didn't see the city fighting for that. Those were jobs lost. The Texas mile comes into our town and makes money and leaves. How is that economic development. Goliad never gave the Texas Mile money for anything (advertising or insurance) and how long was the Texas Mile in Goliad? They left Goliad and Goliad didn't blink and eye. So your evidence of why so much in insurance is the investments that have been made at Chase field even a simple person can put that together every time money is spent at chase field the newspaper lets us know.

beeme

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January 24, 2013

Kitty,

Didn't the one trick pony ride into our town, use the city's 4B sales tax money to subsidize their business and leave several times? Why don't you have a problem calling that economic development?

rvill

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January 25, 2013

no it wasn't a class project we are just standing up for something we love .wouldn't you do the same?yes someone did die out there ,he die doing something he liked aswell.he knew of the consequinces and what happens.does the BDA ask for this outragious money when a tejano band or honky tonk come to town.we have western week here every year,whats wrong with having the Texas Mile here twice?Ya there is an oil boom going on ,so whats goning to happen when they suck all the oil and gas out of bee county and surrounding areas ,they are going to leave.the onely one being being taken advantage of is J&S Motor sports ,the bda asking for all that money.This reminds me of a school bully,demanding money for his lunch.What else comes to town that is enjoyable,every thing in life is dangerous.Even sendind my kids to school is ,im afraid they aren't goning to come home becouse of some other kid wit a gun that didn't get enough hugs.A lot of people don't know where beeville is this is a chance to show them.I would like this town to be on the news for something positive, and not for the lastest shoting or person that got run over at walmart.This event is all about fun.How many people at the last western week got DWIs or PIs,or better yet a free ride to the grey bar hotel(jail)?Lately all i've seen in the news paper is murder,stabings ,nothing but choes.The only thing used out there at chase is the runway and parking,the hangers aren't even touched.The sikorsky enterance is not even used. we are out there out of everybodys way.

rvill

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January 25, 2013

Why ask or should i say demand money and not show up to explain why so much and recive it.If you say this money can be better spent,WHAT CAN IT BE BETTER SPENT ON?

pink_kitty

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January 24, 2013

The fact is the BDA does not have to answer to the public for their actions. Their job is to protect the interest of the BDA. I guess you have not picked up a paper in last year few years to know about the $1 million investment by a private investor to improve the runway at Chase Field (no not Sikorsky) or the $100,000 investment to improve the runway lighting and $1000,00 investment on the GPS approach for the runway. Maybe you should do some research and find out how the BDA board is APPOINTED not elected. The City of Beeville appoints 4 members of the board, the County of Bee appoints 4 members and Coastal Bend College appoints 3 members. My suggestion would be to pick up the phone and call and ask what the BDA does at Chase Field before you start voicing you opinion based on other peoples opinions or thoughts.

If the BDA doesn't listen to the mayors request then what on earth would make me think that they are going to even pick up the phone when I call? Also and I quote "The fact is the BDA does not have to answer to the public for their actions." pink_kitty

beeme

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January 24, 2013

The Fact the BDA does not have to answer to the public for their actions is the problem.

pink_kitty

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January 24, 2013

EddieR,

Thats funny using my quote so you take the words of others instead of finding out for yourself.

EddieR

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January 24, 2013

Ok Pink I won't just take your word for it. How about a counsel member? From the story above:

Councilman David Carabajal, who is one of the four BDA board members appointed by the City Council, said he was not notified that the BDA’s executive committee had met and had made the decision not to meet with the council regarding the insurance requirement.

So again I say. If the BDA doesn't even include one of its appointed members in decisions that effect the community then what would make me think that they would care about little ol me.

pink_kitty

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January 24, 2013

Carbajal has no business being on city council. I would not take his word on anything. Really we need real business men and women on city council.

OutragedB

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January 24, 2013

In Response to the Pink P:

As a concerned citizen and taxpayer for the City of Beeville, the State of Texas, and the United States, I have one question for you: to whom is the Bee Development Authority accountable? I have done some research into the purpose of the Bee Development Authority. According to the Bee Development Authority website: “In October of 1992 the community of Beeville formed the Beeville-Bee County Redevelopment Authority, a 501c corporation. The Authority was charged with the guidance of planning and re-development of Chase Field and the economy of Beeville, Bee County and the surrounding area. In August of 2001 legislation was introduced creating the Bee Development Authority (BDA) under the Defense Closure Act of the State of Texas. The formation gave the BDA broader powers and the ability to work with state and federal economic development programs and enhance the ability to procure grants. BDA adopted a mission to “positively affect the economic development at Chase Field and the surrounding areas of Beeville and Bee County.”” From my interpretation, the Bee Development Authority was created for the benefit of the community. Doesn’t the Beeville community have a right to know where and how their tax dollars are spent, and how decisions are made concerning their community? Exactly how does the “BDA” arrive at their decisions?

The “BDA” received a one-million dollar grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in 2010. In return, the “BDA” said it would create over a hundred jobs. Where are those jobs today? Sikorsky and contractor Kay Associates have left the facility as of the end of 2012. What is left? I wonder if the U.S. Economic Development Administration would also be interested to know where their money has gone.

Correct, the Hughes’s did contribute to runway improvements. I just wonder how an improvement to a runway helps us citizens that don’t own planes.

Yes, Ms. Pink P, you are correct. The “BDA” board members are appointed by elected officials. In this day of budget deficits, and possible sequestrations, transparency is all the more vital to our government. According to several articles in the Picayune, J&S Matus Motorsports did ask the “BDA” how they arrived at their decision. We all would like to know the reasoning behind the “BDA’s” decision to require insurance above and beyond even the standard requirements.

The Texas Mile helps bring exposure to Beeville, Texas and the surrounding counties. Whenever the Texas Mile is in town, I see license plates from all over the county. Why would a committee created to specifically to re-develop Chase Field and the community of Beeville make it so difficult for event organizers to bring their event to the community, which only benefits all of us? Shouldn’t the “BDA” encourage business, instead of driving it away?

Every time the Texas Mile is in town, I see nothing, but pleasant people enjoying our small community. Restaurants are full, stores and convenience/gas stations are always busy. I hope I am not alone in asking these questions, and implore my fellow citizens to start doing the same. It is time for a revamping of the “BDA” board. Even if they are “appointed”, the appointments come from elected officials. It is time the Bee Development Authority work for the community, and not against it. This is our community.

EddieR

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January 24, 2013

"Slowly Claps" OurtagedB well said.

DifferentView2

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January 24, 2013

Could it be that the insurance policy is for more than for property liability? There are a large number of people gathered at an event involving high speed vehicles and fuel storage. These are components that could lead to multiple casualties in unfortunate circumstances.

I don't know the details, but most underwriters will advise their clients to insure for the maximum probable loss. If 20-25 people are seriously injured at the Texas Mile, then the policy limits of 5 million will be exhausted and then all parties including BDA could be on the hook.

While the revenue from the event helps Beeville and provides an opportunity to the CBC automotive students, the bigger question is whether a quasi-governmental entity should be subsidizing a private entity (J&S Matus Motorsports) with tax dollars? Isn't that corporate welfare?

I'm glad that the Texas Mile is in Beeville, but the additional insurance expense is no longer a surprise and J&S Matus Motorsports needs to budget accordingly.

This is why the Mayor wanted the BDA to be at the meeting. At the meeting they had an expert from the insurance company explaining why they (the insurance company) believed that the insurance required should be 5 million. They also had a letter from the insurance writer that recommended the 5 million coverage. The insurance company has already been out to the mile and looked at all the safety equipment and where the people are standing.

The funds they gave were already ear marked for use in getting tourism to Beeville. I think the mile qualifies as tourism. Granted that money could be used for advertisement and other things to get even more tourism if the BDA would listen to the insurance company.

You are right about this not being a surprise but it isn't as simple as making room in their budget. This is a question of the mile staying in Beeville or finding it financially unfeasible to continue to hold the mile in Beeville.

Guy-Fawkes

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January 24, 2013

I couldn’t let DifferentView2’s post go without comment. Here is what I heard at the Council meeting: A typical insurance requirement for motorsports is $2 Million and the high requirement is $5 Million at similar type of facilities as Chase that have other businesses that are located on the property. They identified $5 Million as the amount required by the Navy at Goliad and by the BDA the first events. They provided several points on their history and experience in motor sports. They pointed out that risk of liability is limited because all the participants and spectators have sign waivers to get in. If DifferentView2’s logic is going to be insure to 10 times normal to be extra safe, why not make it 100 times? Better yet, be really safe and cancel all public events. I do agree with DifferentView2 on one point; this is a complete waste of tax dollars. But the blame goes to the BDA. And no event could “budget” for this nonsense. The reality is that the extra $80,000 in cost could push the Texas Mile to another location or out of business and our community would lose a business that based on what I have read in the paper and seen for myself, would take away money and the other benefits they bring to our community. They have several business owners and managers as well as families that were at the meeting expressing their support for the decision. I'm sure that any policy that is granted by any insurance provider would have to go through under writing guidelines and they would have to review potential risk along with the safety precautions put in place before they insured anything. This is part of the point, the City requested the involvement in what they hoped to be a joint meeting so that all could understand the facts. If the BDA would have been at the city council meeting (like they were asked) then they would have heard from experts in the field that where there. Those experts could have shared with them what we heard regarding standards in the industry and had a very beneficial discussion. As I understand it, the Hotel tax money the city council used to fund the insurance was from a fund that is supposed to be used to attract tourism. I'm no expert but the mile does tend to attract lots of people to Beeville. So I would venture to guess that the city council thought that this would be the most effective way to gain tourism. I'm guessing they thought that because it is already a proven draw which our local paper has been reporting on for several years now, even when they were in Goliad.

Arnie3600

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January 24, 2013

The strangest part of this is that a board of elected officials doesn't seem to want to answer to the public for their actions. The choice to not show up and defend their argument of why they feel that they must demand such an out of touch insurance requirement is truly baffling to myself as well as everyone who has posted their comments. It seems that the BDA feels that they are above everyone else in choosing not to explain themselves. Maybe it's time for this group of elected officials not to be elected again. My next question is what does the BDA do at Chase airfield? Their are currently no businesses using any of the buildings out there to my understanding. If they are in charge of bringing in businesses, they are doing quite the bang up job. If their are no businesses then why do we even have a board of people out there. Couldn't the city counsel be in charge of that area? They seem to want to help the city by encouraging the promoters of the Texas Mile to stay here and help the city with all the money spent by racers and spectators alike. Maybe the BDA doesn't want people to know what kind of things they are doing out there. It must be something really important to demand 50 million in insurance.

The actions of BDA to require the Texas Mile organization to have such a large insurance policy is ridiculous. There is nothing at Chase Field worth $50 million. Why try to discourage an event from being held in your city? Beeville is not a destination to do anything. Finally the city has something that draws people in and 4 individuals want to hamper that. I have been to every Texas Mile event that has been held in Beeville. I come into your city to buy gas, snacks, usually eat 2 meals at different restaurants & I'm sure many other spectators do the same. I'm sure they can find another city to hold the event that will not give the organizers such a hard time.

I can not understand how it is possible for 4 members of a board to be making decisions with out the other members of that board even knowing that there is a decision to be made. This isn't Chicago. How does it come to pass that a board that has been appointed by elected officials gained the power to use strong arm politics when it comes to public property? There is no doubt that the Texas Mile brings a massive amount of money into the community along with experience and opportunity for the students who already posted below. The BDA is supposed to be acting for the benefit of Beeville. How is trying to drive away The Texas Mile by making chase field economically undesirable helping Beeville? The people of Beeville should be screaming for answers. Those tax dollars belong to the people. Tho they are well spent helping the Texas Mile come back this year, there is no reason that they need to be spent on a insurance policy that is way to high. It is wasted money. If the BDA can show proof that more than a $5 million insurance policy is needed then they need to present that proof to the people of Beeville. This closed door dealing the BDA is trying to get away with is alarming. Who is the BDA accountable to if not the people? Yet when the people by way of their elected officials asks for answers the BDA declines to even show up. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark

This is why these 4 members are called the Executive Committee. They are voted on by the Board to make decisions like this when needed. If the city wants the Texas mile so bad why don't they let the Texas Mile use the City's Municipal Airport runway???? Oh and last time I checked the BDA does not get Tax dollars to operate. And the Hotel tax money is paid by the hotel owners and those staying in our local hotels paying those taxes. So unless you own a hotel or you are staying in a hotel in Beeville those are not your tax dollars either.

beeme

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January 24, 2013

Kitty,

According to the BDA website, the BDA also "adopted a mission to “positively affect the economic development at Chase Field and the surrounding areas of Beeville and Bee County.”

Doing everything they can to chase the Texas Mile (and all they revenue they bring in) out of Beeville without coming out and saying it doesn't seem to fit their mission.

pink_kitty

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January 24, 2013

Beeme,

didn't the paper have an article that the BDA and the Texas Mile signed another contract. Also, the Texas mile has an event 2-3 times a year and their participants are the only ones coming and staying in our community. We need spectators to come from everywhere to fill up the hotels, to shop in our stores, and eat at our restaurants. Do you go to the event both days to watch? how many local people go to watch the event paying $15 per person to attend. If the Texas Mile really wanted to make Beeville their home why dont they purchase property (increase our tax income) and build their own strip to run on. Invest in this community make it your permanent home. The City has gave them money last year for their insurance and again this year. The Texas Mile host their event makes their profit from the participants and spectators and leaves our community.

beeme

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January 24, 2013

Kitty,

Why don't you tell this forum how much the city has given the BDA over the past? Do the research in the paper to find the amount. I gurantee it's a lot more then what they have given to the Texas Mile.

You claim "The BDA has millions of dollars in investments that is not seen by many because these investments are in building renovations and runway improvements.

Why don't you tell this forum just how much of the BDA's money was actually used on these investments? My guess is that most of that money has come from the city and state, and not out of BDA coffers. Right?

In fact, didn't the city just give the BDA $800k to help build a warehouse for their so called "one trick pony?" What happend to that money now that the one trick pony got up and left?

EddieR

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January 24, 2013

I'd like to point out how ridiculous the argument you made about building their own air strip is. How would that fly over with other sports events. "Sorry monster truck guys you need to buy some property and build your own stadium" "Same to you motor cross" "Formula 1, if you want to come to our city and run those cars on our street then you will have to insure all of our sky scrappers"

The fact is as of right now Beeville is the miles home. All those people are spending their money in Beeville. In restaurants and bars and hotels. People that normally wouldn't be spending their weekend in Beeville are making it a point to plan trips there every year that the mile is there. I don't know how that could be twisted into a bad thing. When a concert comes into a town do you think they are concerned with the artist buying property in that city. No they realize that the event injects money into the community.

Jpuga12

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January 24, 2013

I am a student at CBC Automotive. The Texas Mile is an opportunitey for me that I would not get if i were anywhere else. If they are required to have a 50 million insurance policy when a standard insurance for a speed event is 5 million when there is almost nothing out there. What is so important out there that they need a 50 million insurance until all proof is shown why they need that much of insurance i will be and alway stay angery and upset.

As a student of Coastal Bend College, I think that $50 million dollar insurance is too much for an event like this one. This is a big opportunity for us as automotive student to have. We appreciate Shannon Matus for give us the opportunity to participate in this event helping inspecting cars and motorcycle, we would NOT like to let this go. It gives us an idea of what could do later on in life. Texas mile brings so many people to town, also they bring lots of money to businesses in town, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't like to let this go either. "We also would like to know what so important is out there that cost that much money!"

In regards to the 50 million dollar insurance policy that the Texas Mile is being required to have I believe that this Amount is a beyond outrageous amount. In being apart of the Texas Mile and looking at what exactly is at Chase Field and knowing that there is nothing out there there is nothing out there that is worth 50 million dollars. It is ridiculous how someone can think that two buildings and grass could be worth 50 million dollars when it is probably not even worth over 1 million dollar. Being a college student at Coastal Bend College and knowing about the Texas Mile it is an absolute exquisite opportunity for me and my class every semester to be abke to experience such an event like this to be apart of. In the event that the BDA pushes this opportunity away the whole town of beeville would be very upset in losing over a million dollars that comes to this community in the event of the Texas Mile coming to Beeville. The automotive classes that all experience this amazing oppurtunity would be losing such an opportunity that the college itself would never be able to provide for us to be apart of.

my name is julio guity and i attend coastal bend college, a freshman in college attending class and majoring in auto mechanic with a chance to learn and experience something new every day. im writing a letter to ask what is so important out there for this event to have a 50 million dollar insurance policy paid for the texas mile especially when the city isn't getting anything out of it. as a new student this is a good experience to learn from these people for my future, not only mine but other students as well not only that,these people are bringin money to a poor city for a better progress but instead ya'll are worried bout insurance in a open place with nothin needing to be covered with insurance. i want to know why. why, why, why are ya'll trying to take this away over nothing

kudos to you pursuing your education. It is unfortunate that your are being taking advantage off. You will have a lot of experiences in your career as long as you keep pursuing your education and work hard to achieve your goals. The BDA has millions of dollars in investments that is not seen by many because these investments are in building renovations and runway improvements. If you will do some research in this vary newspaper you will read about all those investments and understand why the BDA is trying to protect its investments. Never have they denied the Texas Mile they just want the investments of the community, state funding and private investors protected. Be careful when getting caught up in the ugly politics of the Texas Mile and the City of Beeville they never share all the information.

TxMileFan

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January 24, 2013

Pink,

It is unfortunate that you think Julio is being taken advantage of. I am sure that Julio took the time to understand what he was writing about and supporting. Obviously The Texas Mile is important to him and (like everyone else) he is voicing his concern because he wants the Texas Mile to stay in Beeville. He speaks from what he knows which are the personal benefits to him and his education.

It troubles me to think that you would be trying to discourage or dissuade young people from participating in local politics or voicing their opinion. By telling a young person that they should not be "taken advantage of" is a total slap in the face and an insult to their intelligence.

Perhaps we would have all of the facts and the whole truth had the BDA shown up to the meeting to defend their side. Now we are all left to wonder what the BDA is thinking.... Yes, it is great that the BDA is trying to protect their investments but they are doing it in such a way that looks like they are trying to push out the biggest tourist attraction Beeville has. People come from all over the world to this event. What better tourist attraction is there than one that brings people from all over the world?!

The youth of this community are the future of Beeville and I applaud them for openly supporting an event that brings obvious economic impact. I especially applaud their courage for speaking out when others are too afraid to do so.

pineapple2013

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January 24, 2013

Dear BDA<

I think this entire $50 million insurance policy situation is rediculous. The Texas Mile brings money to our city, and this policy helps no one. I'd bet that you couldn't name anything on chase field that's worth even half of what your'e asking.

If you won't come to your senses and give them a more affordable policy, the least you could do is come out and explain WHY you made this decision, and give us valid points to try and persuade us to to see it from your side, but I'm almost certain you won't be able to.

As a college student, the Texas Mile is a one in a million chance to get up close and personal with cars and engines that I would never even have the chance to see in person. This year would be my first time. Why would you take this experience away from me and all the other students excited for the Texas Mle? Why would you drive them away?

The Texas Mile is the best thing that comes to Beeville Tx , especially for myself. Im a new student at CBC automotive it gives me a chance to have hands on and learn the other side of the automotive world. I just dont understand why you would need a $50 million ins policy when there is nothing out there, plus there are major events that cost less then half. It brings more people to Beeville which means more MONEY SO PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE TEXAS MILE AWAY FROM US!

I read this yesterday in the paper,I do not understand why the insurance is so high. It is a small event not a Nascar race. Chase Field is completly deserted unless the Texas mile comes in March and October. I could understand if Sikorsky was still up and running,but it's not anymore. I would be a disapointed citizen if the Texas Mile had to stop coming. This is a great opportunity for profit to come through Beeville as well as tourists,and a great opportunity for the Automotive department at Coastal Bend College, because we as students have a chance to inspect these cars from all over the country. Cars that we have never seen before,on top of that We are looking at several job opportunities. We have already had a member of the class recieve a job offer to work for the Texas mile team. I highly believe this insurance policy should be lowered to a reasonable amount.